Trust in agricultural trade starts with knowing who is on the other side of the deal. This policy explains how we verify our clients and counterparties and what we expect from them.
01Our commitment
AgriLink Brokers Ltd is committed to preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion and fraud. Although we do not receive, hold or transmit funds for transactions — payments flow directly between buyer and seller through their banks — international commodity trade can be misused for trade-based money laundering. We therefore apply a risk-based approach to knowing who we work with.
02Scope and framework
This policy applies to all clients, counterparties we introduce, and business partners. We comply with the anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing laws of Saint Lucia and of the other jurisdictions where we do business, and we follow international standards such as the Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
03Customer due diligence (KYC)
Before entering into a mandate or introducing counterparties, we identify and verify the parties involved. Typically we request:
Companies
- Certificate of incorporation and registry extract
- Registered and trading address
- Directors and authorised signatories
- Shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners (typically 25% or more)
- Relevant trade licences, export/import registrations
Individuals
- Valid passport or national ID
- Proof of residential address
- Role and authority within the company
We also seek to understand the nature and purpose of the business relationship and the expected transactions.
04Enhanced due diligence
Additional checks — such as information on source of funds or wealth and senior approval — apply where risk is higher, for example:
- politically exposed persons (PEPs), their family members and close associates;
- parties connected with high-risk or monitored jurisdictions identified by the FATF;
- complex or opaque ownership structures;
- unusually large, complex or atypical transactions.
05Sanctions screening
We screen parties, beneficial owners, vessels and destinations against applicable sanctions lists, including those of the United Nations and, where relevant, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. We do not deal with sanctioned persons or in embargoed goods or destinations.
06Red flags we watch for
- Reluctance to provide KYC information
- Prices far from market levels (over- or under-invoicing)
- Payments from or to unrelated third parties
- Inconsistent documents, quantities or descriptions
- Unusual routing of goods or payments
- Shell companies with no real trading activity
07Ongoing monitoring
Due diligence is kept up to date throughout the relationship and refreshed when circumstances change. Transactions are reviewed for consistency with what we know about the parties.
08Reporting and refusal
Where we know or suspect that a transaction may involve money laundering, terrorist financing or sanctions evasion, we will report it to the competent authorities as required by law, without informing the parties concerned. We may refuse, suspend or end any relationship or transaction, without giving reasons, where our checks cannot be completed satisfactorily.
09Record keeping
KYC documents and transaction records are kept securely for at least five years after the end of the relationship or transaction, or longer where the law requires. Personal data is handled as described in our Privacy Policy.
10Responsibility and review
A designated compliance officer is responsible for this policy, staff awareness and liaison with authorities. The policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever the law or our risk profile changes.
11Your cooperation
By working with us you agree to provide accurate and complete information and to inform us promptly of any changes. Questions about this policy can be sent through the contact form.